The Temptations Acceptance Speech at the 1989 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

[@paul_williams_fans]

Thank you Dennis for giving due praise to the king, Paul Williams. I started crying at that and when they sang "Don't Look Back." You know if Paul were alive for this, it would have been a good time. He was the heart and soul. RIP King 🙏

[@sheampaynejamz7]

Thank you for sharing your father's footprints with the world and The Fans....Your family is greatly appreciated

[@matthewallen1834]

I'm so touched by David's humility, his sense of reverence and history of the Gospel roots from which so much of that music came from.

[@jerryp7721]

I was a cardiology fellow at UPenn David Ruffin was brought to the ER ‘91. I was among the team that worked to revive him. Unsuccessfully. The miniseries incorrectly shows him being unceremoniously dumped at the ER which did not happen and he did not spend a week anonymously in the morgue. That was settled in a lawsuit I heard Tremendous talent that God blessed me to be there during his last minutes on Earth. I will be forever grateful despite the outcome. Temps forever.

[@easilyoffended7772]

So you let Ruffin die

[@tevellevans3709]

Did you know who he was when they brought him into the hospital?

[@roshaungoolsby4554]

​@@easilyoffended7772🤣💀

[@kimkelly5512]

​@@easilyoffended7772The person who worked on the team to revive David, didn't just let him die. They were trying to save him.

[@johnskweird]

@@easilyoffended7772this comment made me squeal 😂😂😂

[@jonathanclary3992]

God Rest Their Souls David Ruffin, Eddie Kendrick, Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, And Melvin Franklin.

[@Noodleydoo]

It's so sad that half the people on that stage are gone. At least the music remains.

[@061romell]

And AL Bryant, Richard Street, Ollie Woodson, and Damon.

[@str8southinternationaltv152]

Melvin is rick james uncle

[@061romell]

@@str8southinternationaltv152 Melvin would say everyone was related to him he claimed Ruffin was a cousin too and Richard Street.

[@SadeWithTheReceipts]

Yep, the only one left is Otis. Unless he has passed too. But I believe he is still alive. I made this comment on 11/14/2022 at 2:02 a.m. On my son's 14th birthday :)

[@TAXENGINEER]

The Temptations defined Motown!!!

[@jeffreyconyers8735]

But Motown loves pushing that female S unit the most.

[@kenj280]

​@@jeffreyconyers8735Supremes sold more records.

[@patholliday9399]

I had the pleasure of meeting Dennis Edwards. He signed my temptations movie. Very nice man! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@honestbajan6877]

That's pretty cool!

[@Nightmaregamer-y7n]

Fascinating that all spoke of the almighty. Such humility.

[@misterb7070]

They were so much better as a group than they were apart. I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to see them live, minus David Ruffin in 1969

[@xllna4]

Sometimes the stereotype of the abused become the abusers is nothing but the truth. And is a shame all they needed was a little love. Brings grief

[@marvinwhittaker1760]

My all time favorite group The Temptations.

[@sexyluxury3901]

Thank you Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! This is why film and digital footprints are so important. This was in Jan of 1989 and as I sit here in 2023 the feelings of both sadness and pride to see THE Temptations get their just due. As we sit here .....the realization that with the exception of Otis they are all gone. David and Eddie ...it has been over 30 years since they left us. Dennis 5 years. and Paul has been gone for as of yesterday 50 years! This is the final performance of all of them together. I have to play it over and over. It reminds me of meme I once saw where it said....that as a child there was a day that everybody went in from playing outside and nobody know that was the last time we would play together or in some cases see each other. Life is so precious. Thank you Temptations! Rest in Power

[@evelyn7881]

Yes❤❤❤❤❤

[@sylviahorton8396]

FOR SOME REASON, WHNEVER I PULL THIS UP + WATCH IT, I ALWAYS GET TEARS N MY EYES.....IF I BLINK, THY WOULD FALL....JUST LOVE TEMPTATIONS.....

[@MADHAUSMARKALLAN]

Me too, Ms. Sylvia! Me too!

[@LeeLee19901]

Well deserved! Good to see them together. They all looked so proud☺️☺️☺️

[@erickleefeld4883]

The only thing Melvin Franklin had to do was start talking, and people would applaud. And he knew it, too - he started out with an especially low and booming pitch.

[@artymunoz5060]

His voice and just his all around personality was very admirable

[@HaywardEntertainment]

3:00--Melvin woke everyone up with that Bass

[@HaywardEntertainment]

Like a good strong cup of Black Coffee

[@missvida6251]

Damn. He seemed so freaking sweet. That voice!

[@kimberlyjohnson4948]

I just watched the movie for the 100x (good movie!) And wanted to watch some actual videos. I love Melvin and my name is Kimberly! So when he said hey Kimberly i was like😻😻 Im 24 and wish everyday i could go back for a week in time just to experience them, Motown and the wholesome upbringing of life back then. Nowadays it's cut throat out here.. Hardly No love,family ,soul/pride, real friends and faith like back then.😞

[@Nudawg]

TEMPTATIONS FOREVER 🎙🙌🏽🎵

[@ssteph2999]

Such well spoken gentlemen! May those who have gone on continue to rest peacefully. 🎶 🕊 🌹

[@princednice0703]

4:08 MY FAVORITE SHOT!!! Look how happy they are!!!

[@Frnk_3]

Eddie apparently refused to speak to Otis during the ceremony tho. 🥺 I feel like the movie made all of them except Blue look like shit. They all had their flaws but they were all human. I wasn’t even born when 4 of these 6 legends who were inducted died but I miss them. Especially Paul.

[@newavatar2947]

David Ruffin was the smoothest voice of that Motown era. It's too bad he couldn't conquer his demons. I love Eddie Kendricks too!

[@Lawrence_619]

God bless, Eddie, Paul and David...but the era that saw Dennis Edwards and the equally great Ollie Woodson as their lead vocalist, is underrated.

[@quincyjoseph1229]

Now I really hope that they put New Edition in the Rock and roll hall of fame someday soon.

[@newavatar2947]

Nah they might as well induct the sylvers

[@teewill1917]

@@newavatar2947 New Edition definitely deserves it, they had a lot of success together and apart. Not many groups can say that.

[@newavatar2947]

@@teewill1917 Maybe the Soul Train awards but definitely NOT the R&R Hall of Fame Temptations ain't rock even though they are legendary Put in Chuck Berry, Little Richard and James Brown in R&R Hall of Fame THATS IT

[@maryfyguysledge969]

​@newa 5:01 vatar2947

[@justinjoseph6966]

Loved how everyone applauded Blue after speaking one word with that baritone voice! We should all be so fortunate to have such an amazing impact on others in life! He was a treasure!

[@devialadawnj7]

Their speaking voices wow ❤

[@bennyadler5882]

Thank goodness Eddie, David and Dennis took part in this, had they not, it'a been total bullshit. Eddie the "K" looked very content and at peace, David showing what a real intelligent man he was despite the issues.

[@SuperBeachbum74]

100% right, without them it’s Otis, Melvin and some karaoke singers !

[@missvida6251]

@@SuperBeachbum74please don’t diminish or downplay them. If there was no Blue and Otis, the temptations wouldn’t exist. Otis created the damn group dumdum! And he’s the only one left.

[@SuperBeachbum74]

@@missvida6251 as David Ruffin said, “ soon they’re be more ex tempts than the tempts “. I love the Temptations, who to be, would be bigger than the Beat,especially if white. I have 2 Beatles lps in my life and 7 Temps lps plus 1 Kendrick and 2 Ruffin sole lps. 1 Dennis Edward’s too. After reading Richard Streets bio. Otis wasn’t a fair person. Blue just followed him. Every substitute temp, Harris, Street , Price, Ollie and Leonard were not paid equally or allowed to see what money was earned or how divided. The classic five all received the same pay. This is why so many left. Yes Otis kept the group name alive but unscrupulously. As Strret said, “the least and easiest to replace received the most money. “No disrespect to the group but I preferred the classic 5. Dennis got better with time and Ollie kept the group relevant from being an oldies act. But truth is truth. And what’s sad in Streets case. Richard was the lead singer of Otis original group the Siberians.

[@lamiabubakar8795]

Two halves, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams came together to form "The Temptations."

[@RC0307]

From Eddie starting by giving thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ to them singing Don’t Look Back this is so very moving to watch! Well deserved and I could just watch it over and over. ♥️🙌🏼

[@nmj7026]

I love this so much, love them all, one of the greatest groups of all time, my birthday is January 18th too just like David Ruffin 💙

[@jeanheard4615]

The originals thank you for the love the music the dances we love you all forever and a day

[@jguerr562]

How fitting a Paul Williams lead song Don't Look Back

[@sweetlatina53]

The temptations sang there hearts out and left us so soon may they rips OMG

[@Frnk_3]

Their faces at 1:48 broke me. They’re probably thinking about Paul. 🥺💔

[@ghanasoul]

Seein and hearin them sing again got me emotional. It wouldve been GREAT if it was just the 5 singin 2gether for this part of their careers.

[@kimkelly5512]

Love the music 🎶🎶🎶🎶 Love The Temptations!!!!!

[@Onehappyworlds]

Love the Temptations. ALWAYS gotta have the Temps. MOTOWN-the sound of young America.

[@evelyn7881]

Tears in my eyes...love you guys...Temptations forever❤

[@Meezy06]

Melvin Franklin Rest In Peace.

[@violoentvictor]

If you can’t hear from their singing, they grew up in the black church gospel tradition, just listen to all five members speech. Who did they thank first?

[@nasimaali9646]

All the temps - heck all the Motown acts always spoke so poised and classy, that Motown charm school was no joke!

[@matthewallen1834]

Also, it just dawned on me that Otis is the only one left. ;(

[@Desz93]

It was beautiful to see them together ❤

[@georgettejonah2580]

The lineup, honour to God, the humility and appreciation of the fans ,Paul Williams, and enablers was touching. Igot teary, but its all good.

[@BuildingCenter]

Endless supply of diamonds from y’all.

[@datboyglobalmediaent.6041]

I drive pass the Motown museum everyday. And I always think “temptations forever”

[@MusicMoore]

Why wasn't Richard Street Inducted with them? He was such an important member of that 70s line up and even sung on some of their earlier stuff too.

[@kaydenthabeast]

I was thinking that by the time they were inducted he’s been with them for 15+ years he should’ve been up there he’s played an integral role in their legacy

[@NLawrence96]

Eddie kendericks

[@jaylene.turner6524]

He’s not a founding member. He left before they became the Temptations.

[@camrencounsell3421]

@CliveSummers02nah unfortunately Damon didn’t stay that long

[@therlowfoy9738]

@@jaylene.turner6524 :: Davd was not an original member, either. Looking back, I would have loved to see Richard inducted because he was a part of the Grammy-winning subset of Temptations, and he sang with them over 25 years. But the six inductees are the reason that the Temptations are still relevant in 2024 although there have been a plethora of talented brothers who have worn the Temptations mantle.

[@charityshoptreasures2569]

That was so lovely 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@1588van]

Eddie talking voice is completely different from his singing voice lol I’m from Bama too so I understand

[@jukesjointOG]

Wow. So much better in real life than in the Temptations movie. I appreciate very much them giving thanks to God, and especially Melvin’s encouraging words. It’s sad to think he would be gone less than 6 years later…

[@FranklynStubbs]

Good Evening R.I.P Falling Members One Off The Greatest Group Ever And My Favorite

[@LifeIsNotorious]

Just got through looking at their movie. It was so good

[@Grind-To-Greatness]

Wow they should have been in motown 25

[@thebootielover]

DE The 6 Temptation. Enough said

[@bigcartoonyIIV]

Its sad they all fell one by one within a few years.

[@petitpois8813]

So glad they all recieved they're flowers 💐before they passed away.

[@bigcartoonyIIV]

@@petitpois8813 yes

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Except for Otis.

[@bigcartoonyIIV]

@@jaylene.turner6524 The down fall is otis had alot of personal tragedies to.

[@MikeAdams-dc9ib]

In my home town of Akron oh I sang with the temps in the 1980's and the audience stood up and gave me a standing ovation and when they came back in my home town of Akron ...they rememberd.me and Melvin Franklin ...like me... and Melvin keep calling me up to sing with his group I sang with them about 20times and Dennis patted me on the back and.said hey you should be one of us I gave him a fan letter and 2 years later he sent me a Christmas card he and new group autograph it .I will.cherrish that.cArd as long as i can ... I met 😢😢😮Dennis Edwards so.many times that we became friends.. one time I met with Dennis and he thought something was wrong with me he said let it out brother and he gave me.a.hug I will.always remember that and cherish that god bless the memories of Dennis and Melvin and.the other temps great memories 😂❤of the,1980's

[@sammiesmith6690]

Legends.

[@tersemerkhet4633]

Still here 2024, great band, they don't make them like this anymore

[@narviawilliams2340]

💐W😯W!!! The only one left from the original Temptations is Otis Williams🔆Paul Williams🥀, David Ruffin🥀, Eddie Kendricks🥀, Melvin Franklin🥀, and Dennis Edwards🥀are gone.

[@therlowfoy9738]

David Ruffin was not an original Tempt; he replaced Elbridge Bryant almost four years after the Tempts signed with Motown. Bryant sang on every song on their first album " Meet The Temptations" except " The Way You Do The Things You Do", which was their first international hit.

[@nancyvergaramylifemyloveforeve]

Yo x primera vez escuche a The Themtapson alrededor de 15 a 16 años y literalmente recuerdo poco pero recuerdo esa musica x radio y su genero musical es soul y los nombres d todos sus integrantes en si lo q nunca supe es PAUL WILLIAMS literalmente no ni d ninguno porq ??? debido a q???? ❤❤❤

[@jonkeiser6092]

I wish they could have included this in the movie with either two actors playing Hall and Oates or Hall and Oates themselves like how Smokey Robinson himself appeared at the end.

[@haroldhart2688]

WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR THEM IN THE KINGDOM SING THE WAY THEY DO.;

[@LimesRickie]

Don't look back ..💖

[@alicejean4879]

AWESOME!❤

[@sandytuzzolino3502]

Love this’

[@Pamela-zy7vc]

*my two main men on stage Dennis Edwards and Daryl Hall😝*

[@artymunoz5060]

I could literally listen to Melvin read from the Bible all day.

[@lilpercocet1057]

Everyone else says what they have to, then there's Melvin pulling out a paper. There's always that one in the group. XD

[@pariss3921]

❤❤❤

[@DemarilWhitaker]

That would have been a great lineup in there prime.

[@debiowens3310]

So what did Dennis Edwards mean that if Paul Williams were alive he wouldn't be up there?

[@Brickcitygirl]

he wouldn't have made the group

[@nikmariealex]

I think it was more bc Paul helped him "become" a Temptation as far as dancing and how to carry himself. They said Paul didn't play with those two things and Eddie wasn't playing about the look of the Tempts. Unless there were talks about staying as 4 after David, I think he meant in his transition to becoming a Temptation. Dennis was very tall and thick 🤣 I bet it took him a while to do choreography lol

[@061romell]

He wasn't an original member, the classic 5 would've likely been inducted. Richard Street was not included here but at this point he had been in the group 18 years.

[@dangreenfield8384]

Dennis actually replaced David Ruffin, not Paul Williams. Richard Street replaced Paul. So I don't know.

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Dennis and David wasn’t an original members. They got in only because they were on a string of hits. David replaced founding member Elbridge Bryant.

[@magdalenasoul1734]

too bad the only one still alive is otis from the original singing group

[@SuperBeachbum74]

The greatest group…….far better than the humdrum Beatles

[@lydiaraymond2700]

Mr David Ruffin had it rough in life as a boy and as an. He hurt a lot of people in his life, yet, don't forget A Lot Of People In His Life

[@lydiaraymond2700]

A lot of people in Mr David Ruffin's life hurt him as a boy and as a man. Mr Ruffin made a lot of wrong decisions; A lot of wrong decisions were made about him. Unfortunately, Mr David Ruffin died without his Inner Pain Being Healed BUT GOD'S MERCY RELEASED TO Mr Ruffin makes him Healed from the Inside Out . . . His giftted voice has healed MILLIONS. Ironic how life works. MIRACULOUS how GOD WORKS. Mankind may have seen Mr Ruffin as a piece of work, to GOD Mr David Ruffin is One of GOD'S MASTERPIECES. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful voice, what a pleasure it is to see Mr Ruffin on Reel-to-Reel and on Videos perform and oh what pain you feel along with him from deep down inside when he is scrawling only THE TRUE LIVING CAN and DOES MEET the one and only Mr Ruffin to HEAL him that He may live throughout eternity, RIGG! (Resting Resting In GOD'S GLORY!)

[@johnzawatwicz3867]

That group should have been named David Ruffin and The Temptations

[@therlowfoy9738]

They had more financial and crossover success after Ruffin was fired. IF the group had been changed to make him the headliner, the Temptations would have died before they reached their peak with Dennis Edwards.

[@williamfeilhauer2667]

Cried watching Dennis and David and Eddie ,Melvin,Otis their Fantastic But!!!!! Missing the man who was the unsung hero Paul Williams it just ain't the same. Paul could dance and sing with the best of them. Sickel cell and alcohol addiction caused him to get of the road.